HBO Series Preview: Martin Scorsese and Mick Jagger’s ‘Vinyl’ Debuts February 14th

From Executive Producers Martin Scorsese, Mick Jagger and Terence Winter, Vinyl is a new drama series set in 1970s New York will air its first episode Sunday, February 14th. A ride through the sex-and drug-addled music business at the dawn of punk, disco, and hip-hop, the show is seen through the eyes of a record label president, Richie Finestra, played by Bobby Cannavale, who is trying to save his company and his soul without destroying everyone in his path.

Additional series regulars include Olivia Wilde, Ray Romano, Ato Essandoh, Max Casella, P.J. Byrne, J.C. MacKenzie, Birgitte Hjort Sørensen, Juno Temple, Jack Quaid, James Jagger and Paul Ben-Victor.

hboOne of the best parts of the season-opener are the soundtrack choices. With a six-figure music budget per episode, each edition features up to 30 songs. “There’s such an opportunity to [release] music around these weekly episodes,” says Atlantic Records Group President of Film & Television Kevin Weaver. “There was a wealth of amazing music, plus this idea of curating a music experience connected to the show by adding some inspired-by content.”

In an interview in Entertainment Weekly, Scorsese explained, “New York in the 70s was at an all-time economic low point. Nothing worked. The subways were falling apart. The crime rate was sky-high. But then, at the same time, culturally speaking, it was a high point… The early 1970s, and 1973 in particular, was a time of great change in the music industry, and it all started in New York City–punk, disco, hip-hop, they all began that year right here in this city. So we decided to start there and see where it would take us.”

Vinyl features sex, drugs, violence, and rock n’ roll–pretty much classic Scorsese. The story is told through of eyes of record label president, Richie Finestra, using voiceovers, flashbacks, period American storytelling, and tracking shots that make this an intense and addicting watching experience. It’s captivating and hard to look away even when the scenes feel a little slow. Just a little over two weeks until it debuts–mark your calendars!

Among the artists contributing original or previously released songs throughout the season are Charlie Wilson, Iggy Pop, Chris Cornell, Nate Ruess, Trey Songz,Chris Cornell, and David Johansen, who re-recorded two classic New York Dolls songs for the soundtrack. Appropriately enough, throughout the series’ run, Atlantic and Warner Bros. will also release material on 7” and 12” vinyl.

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